Serviceable fabric assembly for convertible of a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a serviceable fabric assembly for a convertible roof of a motor vehicle having a retainer connected to a fabric cover and slidably engaged within a channel formed in a first bow member. The first bow member has an upper panel and a lower panel configured to form the channel substantially along the longitudinal length of the first bow member. The channel is configured to laterally receive a compressible portion of the retainer which prevents the retainer from exiting the channel in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first bow member. A gap is formed near at least one end of the channel on the outboard side of the channel and is sized such that an operator can slide the retainer out of the channel through the gap for servicing and replacing the fabric cover without having to disassemble the first bow member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a serviceable fabric assembly for aconvertible roof of a motor vehicle and method for using the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Convertible roofs are generally known and used for a variety of motorvehicles. In some applications it is useful to have a convertible roofthat provides a relatively soft top and in other applications arelatively hard top. In general, convertible roofs move between an up orextended position in which the roof covers a passenger compartment and adown or stowed position in which the roof retracts from the passengercompartment into a storage area. Typical soft top convertible roofs havea support frame or structure formed of numerous rigid and semi-rigidsupport rails, bows, panels, and the like connected to one or morepieces of fabric to form a retractable roof. When the roof is extendedto cover the passenger compartment, the foremost roof bow is manuallyconnected by a vehicle operator, e.g., by two or more latches disposedon the bow, to a vehicle frame portion associated with the top of awindshield. The convertible roof thereby creates a weatherproof sealwith the frame of the motor vehicle.

One common problem with conventional convertible roofs is that they areinefficient and costly to service since the fabric is fixably connectedto the foremost support bow. Thus, if the fabric becomes damaged andrequires removal for servicing or otherwise requires replacement, theforemost support bow must be taken apart or dismantled in order toremove the damaged fabric. The foremost support bow must also bereassembled with the repaired or replaced fabric. Thus, assembling andservicing the fabric of conventional convertible roofs is inefficient,costly, and time consuming.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a serviceable fabric assemblyconfigured to attach a fabric cover to a convertible roof whilesubstantially preserving serviceability of the fabric cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a serviceable fabric assembly for aconvertible roof of a motor vehicle having a retainer connected to afabric cover and slidably engaged within a channel formed in a first bowmember. When the convertible roof is up, the first bow member can beselectively connected to a top of a windshield frame portion of themotor vehicle to form a tight seal with the windshield frame portion.The first bow member has an upper panel connected to a lower panel andis configured to form a channel that extends substantially along thelongitudinal length of the first bow member. The channel is generallyshaped with a lateral opening having a narrow portion leading to alarger inner cavity. A compressible portion of the retainer is operablyconfigured to enter laterally through the narrower opening and expand inthe larger inner cavity. The retainer is thereby prevented from movinglaterally back out of the narrower opening. The configuration of thechannel and retainer allow the retainer to selectively slidesubstantially along the longitudinal length of the channel traverse toan axis extending from the narrower opening to the larger inner cavity.A gap or cut out is formed toward at least on end of the channel and isoperably sized to allow the retainer to be selectively slid out of thefirst bow member through the gap. Accordingly, an operator canselectively slide or bias the retainer along the longitudinal length ofthe channel and remove the retainer from the channel by pulling theretainer out through the gap for servicing and replacing of the fabriccover without having to dismantle the first bow member.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle having aconvertible roof and depicting a serviceable fabric assembly consistentwith the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a serviceable fabric assembly, accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the serviceable fabric assembly taken along asymmetrical centerline of the serviceable fabric assembly, according tothe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional plan view of the serviceable fabric assemblytaken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 depicting a fabric cover connected to aretainer which is located within a channel of a first bow member,according to the present invention;

FIG. 4( a) is an enlarged cross sectional plan view of the serviceablefabric assembly of circle 4A of FIG. 4, showing a compressible portionof the retainer in phantom pushed laterally through a narrower openingof the channel and showing the compressible portion of the retainerdecompressed within a larger inner cavity of the channel, according tothe present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lower panel forming part of a channelhaving a gap, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lower panel forming part of thechannel having a gap, the compressible portion of the retainer locatedwithin the channel, and depicting the fabric cover connected to a fabricattachment surface of the retainer, in accordance with one aspect of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional plan view of the serviceable fabric assemblytaken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3 depicting a gap associated with thechannel, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a motor vehicle 10 having aconvertible roof generally shown at 12 with a serviceable fabricassembly of the present invention shown generally at 16. The convertibleroof 12 is depicted in the up position such that the convertible roof 12encloses or covers the passenger compartment and creates a substantiallytight waterproof seal with the frame and windows about the periphery ofthe passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 10. When the convertibleroof 12 is extended to the up position, the serviceable fabric assembly16 has a leading edge that operably interfaces with an upper edge of awindshield frame 18 portion, e.g., the top portion of metal or rigidplastic trim located around the periphery of the windshield glass. Inoperation, after the convertible roof 12 is extended to the up position,an operator manually attaches the serviceable fabric assembly 16 to thetop of the windshield frame 18 by pivoting or rotating two or morelatches disposed on the serviceable fabric assembly 16 to engageopposing braces disposed on the windshield frame 18. The serviceablefabric assembly 16 helps to form a tight seal with the top or upwardportion of the windshield frame 18 to prevent the egress ofenvironmental elements into the passenger compartment, e.g., rain, wind,dust, and the like elements. It is understood that the serviceablefabric assembly 16 can additionally have a weatherstrip, e.g., formed ofpliable rubber and the like, to help create a tighter seal with thewindshield frame 18. When the operator desires to retract theconvertible roof 12 to the down or stowed position, the operatordisengages the two or more latches and can push a switch toautomatically retract the convertible roof 12. The serviceable fabricassembly 16 thereby moves generally rearward with the other convertibleroof 12 components in the direction of the trunk area and is stowed.

Referring generally to FIGS. 2-7, the serviceable fabric assembly isgenerally shown at 16 having a retainer 20 connected to a fabric cover22 and slidably connected to a channel, generally indicated at 24,formed in a first bow member, generally indicated at 26. The first bowmember 26 is generally formed of an upper panel 28 operably connected,e.g., by a plurality of heat stakes 29, to a lower panel 30, wherein thefirst bow member 26 is substantially rigid and operable for providingsupport generally at the forward most end of the convertible roof 12adjacent to the top of the windshield frame 18. A front end 32 of thefabric cover 22 is operably connected, e.g., by sewing, gluing,clipping, and the like, to a fabric attachment surface 34 disposedsubstantially along the longitudinal length of the retainer 20. Theretainer 20 is operably configured to be held by the channel 24 whichextends substantially along the longitudinal length of the first bowmember 26. The retainer 20 and fabric cover 22 are thereby selectivelyconnected to the first bow member 26 substantially along the entirelongitudinal length of the first bow member 26.

Referring generally to FIGS. 2-7, and specifically to FIGS. 4 and 4(a),a cross sectional plan view of the serviceable fabric assembly 16 shownalong line 4-4 of FIG. 3 is depicted. The first bow member 26 isassembled by connecting the upper and lower panels 28,30 together. Byway of non-limiting example, a heat staking process is used to securelyjoin or connect a plurality of heat stakes 29 or posts and respectiveopposing plurality of holes, indicated generally at 31. Opposinglydisposed features are operably formed in the upper and lower panels28,30 to create the channel 24 when the first bow member 26 isassembled. The channel 24 allows the installed retainer 20 to beselectively slid substantially along the longitudinal length of thechannel, e.g., substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of thefirst bow member 26. It is understood that the depth and the shape ofthe channel 24 can vary and depends upon the configuration of theretainer 20 with which it must engage. It is further understood that thechannel 24 can alternatively be formed solely within either the upperpanel 28 or lower panel 30, e.g., formed during injection molding ofeither the upper or lower panel 28,30, and the like.

The channel 24 generally has a narrower opening 36 followed by a largerinner cavity 38 extending substantially along the entire length of thefirst bow member 26 operable for receiving and selectively retaining theretainer 20. As shown in FIG. 4A, the narrower opening 36 is generallyformed by a terminal end of the lower panel 30 having a first surface,indicated at 33, forming the bottom of the narrower opening 36 and anopposingly disposed second surface, indicated at 35, formed on theunderside of the upper panel 28 forming the top of the narrower opening36. As further shown in FIG. 4A, the larger inner cavity 38 is generallyformed by a third surface, indicated generally at 37, and a rib 37 a,formed into the lower panel 30, e.g., the third surface 37 and rib 37 aforming a substantially u-shape in the lower panel 30, and an opposinglydisposed fourth surface, indicated generally at 39, e.g., asubstantially L-shaped fourth surface 39 formed in the upper panel 38.The rib 37 a is operably formed generally at the back of the largerinner cavity 38, e.g., disposed an operable distance from the narroweropening 36, such that the rib 37 a at least partly defines the inwardmost side or back of the larger inner cavity 38 and the fourth surface39, e.g., L-shaped, at least partly defines the rest of the inward mostside of the larger inner cavity 39. It is understood that one or morealternative surfaces generally disposed on said upper and lower panels28,30 can be used if suitable to form the narrower opening 36 followedby the larger inner cavity 38.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 4A, the channel 24 is shaped such that at leastpart of the retainer 20 can enter laterally through the narrower opening36 and extend into the larger inner cavity 38. As depicted, the retainer20 and channel 24 forms a snap-fit type engagement wherein the retainer20 is pushed laterally through the narrower opening 36 and expands orwidens within the larger inner cavity 38. This prevents the retainer 20from coming laterally out or backing out of the narrower opening 36.FIG. 4A illustrates a compressible portion 21 in phantom beingcompressed against first surface 33 as the compressed portion 21 ispushed laterally through the narrower opening 36 defined by the firstand second surfaces 33,35. FIG. 4A also depicts the compressible portion21 becoming decompressed when it enters the larger inner cavity 38 fromthe narrower opening 36. By way of non-limiting example, as depicted inFIGS. 4, 4A, and 6, the compressible portion 21 can be substantiallyU-shaped and the like.

At least the compressible portion 21 of the retainer 20 is operablyformed of a semi-flexible material and is adapted to compress throughthe narrower opening 36 and expand or open up to at least partly fillthe larger inner cavity 38, e.g., formed of semi-flexible extruded,thermoformed, or injection molded plastic, and the like. The retainer 20can also have an opposingly disposed feature, generally indicated at 23,formed along the retainer 20 substantially opposite to the compressibleportion 21 to engage the upper or lower panels 28,30 at a locationoutside of the narrower opening 36. By way of non-limiting example, theopposingly disposed feature 23 can be shaped as a flange, tab, rib,protrusion and the like. Thus, the retainer 20 is substantiallymaintained in a fixed lateral and axial position while still allowingthe retainer 20 to slide along the longitudinal length of the channel 24transverse to an axis extending though the narrower opening 36 to thelarger inner cavity 38.

Preferably, the fabric cover 22 is connected to the fabric attachmentsurface 34 of the retainer 20 such that the fabric cover 22 is locatedbetween the fabric attachment surface 34 and a generally flat undersideportion of the upper panel 28 disposed substantially outside of thenarrower opening 36 when the retainer 20 is connected to the channel 24.This configuration can help hold the fabric cover 22 substantially flushwith the upper panel 28 without inhibiting sliding of the retainer 20 inthe channel 24 when servicing the fabric cover 22 is desired. The fabriccover 22 is preferably connected to the retainer 20 by sewing forconnection strength without sacrificing space at the connectionlocation, e.g., to maintain a substantially low profile. The fabricattachment surface 34 is depicted as outside the larger inner cavity 38of the channel 24, however, it is understood that the fabric attachmentsurface 34 can alternatively extend at least partly into the largerinner cavity 38 and narrower opening 36. It is further understood thatthe fabric attachment surface 34 can be any of one or more surfaces onthe retainer 20 suitable for securely affixing the fabric cover 22 alongthe retainer 20 without impeding or interfering with selective slidingof the retainer 20 in the channel 24.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the retainer 20 is installed within the channel24, the fabric cover 22 substantially overlaps the forward most side 40,shown in FIGS. 2-4( a), of the first bow member 26 and substantiallycovers the top surface 42 of the first bow member 26. Thus, the fabriccover 22 forms part of the convertible roof 12 that is visible to anoperator outside the vehicle when the convertible roof 12 is in the upor extended position. The lower panel 30 of the first bow member 26 isat least partly a garnish trim or show surface viewable to an operatorwithin the passenger compartment when the convertible roof 12 is in theup position. It is understood that at least the portion of the lowerpanel 30 viewable by an operator can contain aesthetic grain, stipple,and the like, or other appealing surface treatment. It is furtherunderstood that the overall dimensions and contour of the first bowmember 26 are operable to interact with a respective motor vehicle withwhich it must engage. Accordingly, while a substantially large cavity 41is depicted in FIG. 4 inboard from the channel 24, e.g., located on theopposite side of the rib 37 a from the larger inner cavity 38, andformed by the upper and lower panel 28,30, it is understood that theshape and dimensions of the substantially large cavity 41 can varydepending on the motor vehicle with which the first bow member 26 isengaged.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a perspective view of the lower panel 32 of thefirst bow member 26 configured to form part of the channel 24 and a gap,indicated at 46, formed substantially near at least one end of thechannel 24. The gap 46 is formed on the outboard side of the channel 24to allow the retainer 20 to be selectively removed from the channel 24through the gap 46 in a direction generally toward the forward most side40 of the first bow member 26. FIG. 4A further illustrates the gap 46location in phantom on the outboard side of the channel 24. The lowerpanel 32 is depicted with a generally contoured end portion 48 includinga terminating end 50 at which the gap 46 terminates to prevent theretainer 20 from sliding past the terminating end 50. Preferably, thegap 46 terminates adjacent to and substantially below the top of theterminating end 50. The gap 46 creates a slot or cut out in the lowerpanel 30 that is operably sized and shaped so that an operator canmanipulate the retainer 20 out of the gap 46. A top surface 52 of thegap 46 is operably located such that a plane passing along the topsurface 52 is spaced below a plane passing along the first surface 33defining the bottom of the narrower opening 36 and below a plane passingalong the terminating end 50. An operator can selectively slide or biasthe retainer 20 along the channel 24 and out of the channel 24 throughthe gap 46. This allows removal of the retainer 20 from the channel 24for servicing and replacing the fabric cover 22 without having todisassemble the first bow member 26. Preferably, as shown in phantom inFIG. 4A, the top surface 52 of the gap 46 substantially eliminates thenarrower opening 36 such that the top surface 52 is substantially flushwith the bottom of the third surface 37 of the larger inner cavity 38.

FIG. 6 depicts the fabric cover 22 attached along the fabric attachmentsurface 34 of the retainer 20 and curving generally upward. As furtherillustrated in FIG. 4, the fabric cover 22 is operably disposed tooverlap the forward most side 40 of the first bow member 26 and tosubstantially cover the top surface 42 of the first bow member 26 toform part of the convertible roof 12 visible to an operator standingoutside of the motor vehicle 10.

It is understood that the terminal end of the lower panel 30 having afirst surface 33 forming the bottom of the narrower opening 36 can begenerally formed as an elongated protrusion, indicated at 44. It isunderstood that the elongated protrusion 44 can be any other suitableraised shape operable for preventing the retainer 20 from cominglaterally out of the channel 24 through the narrower opening 36, e.g.,formed as a lip, raised groove, elongated rib, and the like. It isfurther understood that the elongated protrusion 44 can alternatively beformed on the upper panel 28 of the first bow member 26. Thecompressible portion 21 is depicted within the lower panel 30 portion ofthe larger inner cavity 38 and engaging the elongated protrusion 44 tohelp prevent the compressible portion 21 from coming out through thenarrower opening 36. The gap 46 creates a cut out in the elongatedprotrusion 44 to create room for the retainer 20 to be selectively slidout of the channel through the gap for servicing and replacement of thefabric cover 22 outside of the first bow member 26.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional plan view of the serviceable fabric assemblytaken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3 depicting an example of the gap 46configured to allow the retainer 20 to be selectively slid out of thegap of the channel 24 for servicing the fabric cover 22, in accordancewith one aspect of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the method of assembling the serviceable fabricassembly 16 includes providing the first bow member 26, the retainer 20,and the fabric cover 22. The fabric cover 22 is connected, e.g., sewn,to one or more fabric attachment surfaces 38 on the retainer 20.Assembling the first bow member includes connecting an upper panel 28 toa lower panel 30, e.g., by heat stake. A channel 24, having a narroweropening 36 followed by a larger inner cavity 38, is thereby formed inthe assembled first bow member 26. The fabric cover 22 is positioned tosubstantially cover the top surface 42 of the first bow member 26 and tooverlap the forward most side 40 of the first bow member 26 to form partof the convertible roof 12 visible to an operator standing outside ofthe motor vehicle 10. The retainer 20 is then inserted laterally throughthe narrower opening 36 and into the larger inner cavity 38. Wheninserting the retainer 20, the compressible portion 21 compressesagainst the first surface 33 as it is pushed laterally through thenarrower opening 36 defined by the first and second surfaces 33,35. Thecompressible portion 21 then expands or decompresses within the largerinner cavity 38 to help prevent the retainer 20 from moving laterallyback out of through the narrower opening 36.

In yet another embodiment, the method of assembling the serviceablefabric assembly 16 includes providing the first bow member 26, theretainer 20, and the fabric cover 22. The fabric cover 22 is connected,e.g., sewn, to one or more fabric attachment surfaces 38 on the retainer20. At least the compressible portion 21 of the retainer 20 is placedinto the partially formed larger inner cavity 38 of the channel 24associated with the lower panel 30. The upper panel 28 is thenconnected, e.g., heat staked, to the lower panel 30 such that thechannel 24 is now completely formed by the assembly of the first bowmember 26 and the compressible portion 21 of the retainer is trappedwithin the larger inner cavity 38 of the channel 24. The fabric cover 22is positioned to overlap the forward most side 40 of the first bowmember 26 and to substantially cover the top surface 42 of the first bowmember 26 to form part of the convertible roof 12 visible to an operatorstanding outside of the motor vehicle 10. It is understood thatalternatively, at least the compressible portion 21 of the retainer 20can be placed into the partially formed larger inner cavity 38 of thechannel 24 associated with the upper panel 28 prior to connecting theupper panel 28 to the lower panel 30.

In an alternative embodiment, the method of assembling the serviceablefabric assembly 16 includes providing the first bow member 26, theretainer 20, and the fabric cover 22. The fabric cover 22 is connected,e.g., sewn, to one or more fabric attachment surfaces 38 on the retainer20. Assembling the first bow member includes connecting an upper panel28 to a lower panel 30, e.g., by heat stake. A channel 24, having anarrower opening 36 followed by a larger inner cavity 38, is formed inthe assembled first bow member 26. The compressible portion 21 of theretainer 20 is then aligned with the gap 46 of the channel 24 and therest of the retainer 20 is adjacent to the narrower opening 36 of thechannel. The compressible portion 21 is then inserted through the gap46. This results in at least the compressible portion 21 of the retainer20 being disposed within the larger inner cavity 38 of the channel andthe rest of the retainer 20 extending through the narrower opening 36.The compressible portion 21 of the retainer 20 is then slid along thechannel 24 until the entire compressible portion 21 of the retainer 20is disposed substantially along the entire longitudinal length of thechannel 24 and the rest of the retainer 20, e.g., the fabric attachmentsurface 34, is disposed outside of the larger inner cavity 38 inassociation with the narrower opening 36. The fabric cover 22 ispositioned to overlap the forward most side 40 of the first bow member26 and to substantially cover the top surface 42 of the first bow member26 to form part of the convertible roof 12 visible to an operatorstanding outside of the motor vehicle 10.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and thus,variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention areintended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A serviceable fabric assembly for a convertible roof of a motorvehicle comprising, a retainer connected to a fabric cover; a first bowmember selectively connected to a windshield frame of said motorvehicle; a channel formed substantially along a longitudinal length ofsaid first bow member for holding said retainer, said channel includinga lateral opening having a narrow portion leading to a larger innercavity; a compressible portion formed on said retainer that compressesto fit laterally through said narrower opening of said channel andexpand within said larger inner cavity of said channel to prevent saidretainer from coming laterally out through said narrower opening; and agap located near at least one end of said channel for selectivelyremoving said retainer from said channel; wherein said retainer isslidably engaged with said channel so that an operator can selectivelyslide said retainer along said longitudinal length of said channel andout of said gap for servicing and replacing of said fabric cover withoutdismantling said first bow member.
 2. The serviceable fabric assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said retainer is connected along a front end of saidfabric cover.
 3. The serviceable fabric assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid fabric cover is sewn to said retainer to maintain a substantiallylow profile.
 4. The serviceable fabric assembly of claim 1, wherein saidfabric cover is connected to one or more fabric attachment surfacesextending substantially along the longitudinal length of said retainer.5. The serviceable fabric assembly of claim 1, wherein said first bowmember further comprises an upper panel connected to a lower panel,wherein said upper and lower panels are operably configured to form saidchannel.
 6. The serviceable fabric assembly of claim 1, wherein saidfirst bow member further comprises an upper panel connected to a lowerpanel, and wherein said channel is formed in one of said upper and lowerpanels.
 7. The serviceable fabric assembly of claim 1, wherein a planepassing generally along a top surface of said gap is located below aplane passing generally along a first surface defining a bottom of saidnarrower opening.
 8. The serviceable fabric assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising an opposingly disposed feature operably formed substantiallyopposite to said compressible portion, wherein said opposingly disposedfeature and compressible portion grip substantially opposing sides ofsaid lower panel to substantially maintained said retainer in a fixedlateral and axial position within said channel while still allowing theretainer to slid along said longitudinal length of said channel.
 9. Theserviceable fabric assembly of claim 1, wherein said retainer and saidchannel form a snap-fit type engagement to prevent said retainer fromcoming laterally out of said narrower opening.
 10. The serviceablefabric assembly of claim 1, wherein said compressible portion issubstantially U-shaped to compress to fit laterally through saidnarrower opening of said channel and expand within said larger innercavity of said channel to prevent said retainer from coming laterallyout of said narrower opening.
 11. The serviceable fabric assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said fabric cover overlaps a forward most side of saidfirst bow member and covers a top surface of said first bow member suchthat said fabric cover is viewable to an operator standing outside ofsaid motor vehicle when said convertible top is in an up position.
 12. Aserviceable fabric assembly for a convertible roof of a motor vehiclecomprising, a retainer connected to a fabric cover a first bow memberhaving an upper panel connected to a lower panel and configured to forma channel that has a narrower opening followed by a larger inner cavity,said channel extending substantially along a longitudinal length of saidfirst bow member, wherein said first bow member is operably configuredto be selectively connected to a windshield frame of said motor vehicle;a retainer having a compressible portion that compresses to fit saidcompressible portion laterally through said narrower opening and intosaid larger inner cavity, said compressible portion expanding withinsaid larger inner cavity to prevent said compressible portion of saidretainer from exiting said channel through said narrower opening; anopposingly disposed feature formed on said retainer, wherein saidcompressible portion and said opposingly disposed feature gripsubstantially opposing sides of said lower panel to substantiallymaintained said retainer in a fixed lateral and axial position withinsaid channel while still allowing said retainer to slid along saidlongitudinal length of said channel; and a gap for selectively removingsaid retainer from said channel, said gap located near at least one endof said channel and terminating substantially below a terminating end ofsaid lower panel, wherein a plane passing along a top surface of saidgap is located below a plane passing along said terminating end and aplane passing along a first surface defining a bottom of said narroweropening; wherein said retainer is slidably engaged within said channelso that an operator can slide said retainer along said longitudinallength of said channel and out of said channel through said gap forservicing and replacement of said fabric cover without dismantling saidfirst bow member.
 13. The serviceable fabric assembly of claim 12,wherein said retainer is connected to a front end of said fabric cover.14. The serviceable fabric assembly of claim 12, wherein said fabriccover is sewn to said retainer to maintain a substantially low profile.15. The serviceable fabric assembly of claim 12, further comprising anelongated protrusion terminating at said narrower opening of saidchannel to prevent said retainer from coming laterally out of saidnarrower opening.
 16. The serviceable fabric assembly of claim 12,wherein said retainer and said channel form a snap-fit type engagementto prevent said retainer from coming laterally out of said narroweropening.
 17. The serviceable fabric assembly of claim 12, wherein saidfabric cover overlaps a forward most side of said first bow member andcovers a top surface of said first bow member such that said fabriccover is viewable to an operator standing outside of said motor vehiclewhen said convertible top is in an up position.
 18. A method of assemblya serviceable fabric assembly for a convertible roof of a motor vehiclecomprising, providing a retainer having a compressible portion and oneor more fabric attachment surfaces; providing a first bow member forminga channel extending along the longitudinal length of said first bowmember and configured to receive said retainer, said channel having anarrower opening followed by a larger inner cavity; providing a gaplocated near at least one end of said channel operably sized toselectively remove said retainer from said channel; connecting a fabriccover substantially along the longitudinal length of said one or morefabric attachment surfaces of said retainer; inserting said retainerinto said channel such that said compression portion is disposed withinsaid larger inner cavity to prevent said retainer from coming laterallyout of said channel; wherein said channel is operably configured toallow an operator to selectively slide said retainer along saidlongitudinal length of said channel and through said gap of said channelfor servicing and replacing of said fabric cover without dismantlingsaid first bow member.
 19. The method of assembly a serviceable fabricassembly of claim 18, wherein said retainer is inserted into saidchannel by compressing said compressible portion against a first surfaceof said lower panel defining said narrower opening and pushing saidcompressible portion laterally through said narrower opening into saidlarger inner cavity where said compressible member expands to preventsaid retainer from exiting through said narrower opening.
 20. The methodof assembly a serviceable fabric assembly of claim 18, wherein saidretainer is inserted into said channel by aligning said compressibleportion of said retainer with said gap and aligning said fabricattachment surface of said retainer with said narrower opening,inserting said compressible portion through said gap into said largerinner cavity of said channel, and sliding said retainer along saidchannel until said compressible portion is located entirely within saidlarger inner cavity.